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To: reaper who wrote (209060)	12/11/2002 2:36:11 PM
From: NOW	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 436258

Keefe Bruyette & Woods insurance analyst Geoffrey Dunn believes MBIA's (MBI) franchise remains "stronger than ever" after its chief executive spoke at the firm's insurance conference Tuesday morning. Dunn says the company remains committed to strengthening its triple-A credit rating and adhering to a "no-loss" underwriting standard. "Our number one concern remains the misconceptions that appear to be dominating the shares performance," Dunn said. "However, we believe that management will continue to confront these issues and disseminate additional facts into the market, reducing the issue." Earlier this week hedge fund Gotham Partners said the bond insurer's triple-A ratings were "undeserved." The major rating agencies have since affirmed their ratings on MBIA, sending the stock up nearly 6% on Wednesday. (CUB)

To: reaper who wrote (209060)	12/11/2002 5:44:57 PM
From: ild	Respond to of 436258

This economy is built upon derivatives which are in turn built upon very low short term interest rates. Scary.

To: reaper who wrote (209060)	12/11/2002 6:06:40 PM
From: Haim R. Branisteanu	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 436258

Well they invented the FREE LUNCH concept ....... possible only in on those shores <GGG> ......... he is betting on the FED and trusts AG not to raise rates ....... after all it makes so much sense <GG> ....... for sure AG will notify them in advance when they intend to raise short term rates ........... I got same promise <GG>

To: reaper who wrote (209060)	12/11/2002 9:08:52 PM
From: mishedlo	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 436258

Stocks sailed in and out of the red today to generally close higher. "snip" This morning CNBC's Market Maiden dug deep to put a bullish spin on the under funded status of big company pension plans. According to CNBC, since companies will have to use their cash flow to fund their pension plans, they will have to buy stocks. As a result, the pension crisis is actually positive for the market. "snip" Fred Hickey finds similar, but not identical conditions between this December and a year ago. "snip" Hickey goes onto to confirm that the bubble's excesses have yet to be purged, citing continued over capacity in tech, noting that big foundries are operating at 30-60% of capacity. "snip" Intel's Andrew Grove said the chip downturn this time around is different because it comes on the heels of a spending boom and thinks companies around the world will need to cut back capacity further. "snip" Bloomberg.com posted the following headline today: Household Debt Load May Pose Threat to Spending: U.S. household borrowing has surpassed $8 trillion and is rising at its fastest rate in more than a decade. Personal bankruptcies are at a record high all-time high, and mortgage foreclosures have hit a 30-year peak. "snip" That's because household debt comes in above 100% of income compared to 75% in the late '80s. "snip" The MBA said the refi index was down again for the week ending Dec. 6. Read the rest here: prudentbear.com